Forum meets

[RichA]

I have several I wouldn't wish to spend a round of golf with. Simply very different people with very different views and we have nothing in common

Crow and I spent 5 hours in each others company yesterday.
We may have very different views and nothing but golf in common, but I don't know. We just had lunch and a pint, played golf and talked about golf, family and touched on work. It was delightful.
There are about a dozen in my immediate golfing circle. I have no clue what their beliefs, politics or philosophies are. Some of them I consider to be close friends.
The only time I witness serious division between people who golf is on this internet forum. Most of us are capable of behaving ourselves and avoiding an argument for 4 hours on an actual golf course, I would think.

 

[rosecott]

The two biggest organisers of Meets when i joined were John Findley and the Craw. that was 2009 ish, my first a big meet was arranged by Golf Monthly at Castle Stuart when it opened. we played Spey Valley, Castle Stuart and Nairn, then Smiffy organised a game at Boat of Garten on the monday. we used to have a Ryder cup style meet as Goswick, Scotland Vs England where the legendary Goswick 8 were the talk for years to come. Crawford did some great stuff annual meets at Macrihanish. we had meets at Blairgowrie, Dundonauld, Glasgow Gails and Trump Aberdeen a few times. alas those guys are long gone

Is my memory failing, or did you not also venture South for the Old Farts v Whippersnappers at Forest Pines. Smiffy ran them for many years and I had a go at running one when he retired.

 

[Billysboots]

Crow and I spent 5 hours in each others company yesterday.
We may have very different views and nothing but golf in common, but I don't know. We just had lunch and a pint, played golf and talked about golf, family and touched on work. It was delightful.
There are about a dozen in my immediate golfing circle. I have no clue what their beliefs, politics or philosophies are. Some of them I consider to be close friends.
The only time I witness serious division between people who golf is on this internet forum. Most of us are capable of behaving ourselves and avoiding an argument for 4 hours on an actual golf course, I would think.

Absolutely spot on.

It’s the same in so many walks of life. You conjure up an image of someone based on what you read on a forum like this, what you hear said about them, or how you see them behave from afar, and that image bears no resemblance to the reality.

I recall my first ten weeks at police training college all those years ago. There was a fella in another class I took a huge and instant dislike to. Couldn’t put my finger on it, but I really didn’t like him at all, despite not really having a great deal to do with him.

We went back to our Force areas and then returned for our final five weeks and, lo and behold, the two of us ended up in the same class. Turned out I was miles off the mark. He was an absolutely diamond fella and he and I have been friends ever since - nearly 35 years.

So it’s very true - don’t form opinions about anyone based on what is written here, that’s for sure.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Crow and I spent 5 hours in each others company yesterday.
We may have very different views and nothing but golf in common, but I don't know. We just had lunch and a pint, played golf and talked about golf, family and touched on work. It was delightful.
There are about a dozen in my immediate golfing circle. I have no clue what their beliefs, politics or philosophies are. Some of them I consider to be close friends.
The only time I witness serious division between people who golf is on this internet forum. Most of us are capable of behaving ourselves and avoiding an argument for 4 hours on an actual golf course, I would think.

Spent a round with one person on here and I wouldn't want to repeat it.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Crow and I spent 5 hours in each others company yesterday.
We may have very different views and nothing but golf in common, but I don't know. We just had lunch and a pint, played golf and talked about golf, family and touched on work. It was delightful.
There are about a dozen in my immediate golfing circle. I have no clue what their beliefs, politics or philosophies are. Some of them I consider to be close friends.
The only time I witness serious division between people who golf is on this internet forum. Most of us are capable of behaving ourselves and avoiding an argument for 4 hours on an actual golf course, I would think.

Yep sums it up well

People will always be different when their air their views etc

But when it comes to actually playing golf - it doesn’t matter what someone’s view on life is , all share a common belief that golf is great

 

[hambugerpete]

Yep sums it up well

People will always be different when their air their views etc

But when it comes to actually playing golf - it doesn’t matter what someone’s view on life is , all share a common belief that golf is great

I little simplistic don't you think? I've played golf with some absolute bell ends who id never want to play a round with again. Probably happy to never speak to again to be honest.

 

[srixon 1]

Not meets as such but I have played with forum members at a few different courses over the years.

It doesn’t have to be a big forum meet, and it’s also probably easier to arrange a four ball or less. I live on the south coast and my parents live in Yorkshire. In the past, I’ve asked (on the forum) if anyone fancies a game within x miles of my route north and usually someone has been accommodating. It helps to break up the journey too. Fish (no longer of this parish) was one of the folk that I had a game with. What’s not to like about playing a new course at the cost of a members guest rate.

 

[patricks148]

Is my memory failing, or did you not also venture South for the Old Farts v Whippersnappers at Forest Pines. Smiffy ran them for many years and I had a go at running one when he retired.

yes i did go once, absolutely boiling on the friday and Saturday nights

 

[Orikoru]

Crow and I spent 5 hours in each others company yesterday.
We may have very different views and nothing but golf in common, but I don't know. We just had lunch and a pint, played golf and talked about golf, family and touched on work. It was delightful.
There are about a dozen in my immediate golfing circle. I have no clue what their beliefs, politics or philosophies are. Some of them I consider to be close friends.
The only time I witness serious division between people who golf is on this internet forum. Most of us are capable of behaving ourselves and avoiding an argument for 4 hours on an actual golf course, I would think.

I find this. My buddy that I play the most golf with, I consider one of my best mates, yet we don't really talk about much besides golf.

 

[RichA]

I little simplistic don't you think? I've played golf with some absolute bell ends who id never want to play a round with again. Probably happy to never speak to again to be honest.

The only recent one for me was a comp at my club. Drawn in a three ball with one of my best mates and a guy I'd never met before. He did the same job as me, we're about the same age and background, wives do the same job as each other. In theory we should have got along. After the first 3 holes I spent the next 15 trying to hit my ball up the opposite side of the fairway to him and if I was drawn with him in a comp again I'd probably pull out and visit my MiL.

Conversely, my work brings me into contact with people who are different from me in every conceivable way and you'd normally want to actively avoid. I've encountered many who I'll happily chat with for an hour over a coffee.

I'm happy to weed out s based on real life meetings but doing it purely on the basis of their nuance-lacking internet persona seems shortsighted.

 

[hambugerpete]

The only recent one for me was a comp at my club. Drawn in a three ball with one of my best mates and a guy I'd never met before. He did the same job as me, we're about the same age and background, wives do the same job as each other. In theory we should have got along. After the first 3 holes I spent the next 15 trying to hit my ball up the opposite side of the fairway to him and if I was drawn with him in a comp again I'd probably pull out and visit my MiL.

Conversely, my work brings me into contact with people who are different from me in every conceivable way and you'd normally want to actively avoid. I've encountered many who I'll happily chat with for an hour over a coffee.

I'm happy to weed out s based on real life meetings but doing it purely on the basis of their nuance-lacking internet persona seems shortsighted.

Yes 100% agree. I'll give anyone a chance.

 

[Mandofred]

So it’s very true - don’t form opinions about anyone based on what is written here, that’s for sure.

When I was still teaching and we had the early year parent night meeting I would tell them that if there was something important they wanted to talk to me about, come in and see me.....if you just need a quick update about something email is fine, but it's pretty easy to give the wrong view with a "quick" email.

 

[Oddsocks]

Seen this mentioned this morning. How many have there been? How many played in them? Why is nobody organising them any more?

I assume they are just days out, kind of like a society day? Maybe it's a cost thing now, even a pretty average club can be well over £100 these days

Does Golf Monthly get involved? If not, why not. They could be arranging them it would be good PR for them.

Most have stopped as the dynamic of the forum has without doubt changed over time and the knock on effect is that smaller groups have formed and arrange their own days. The only true meet is the H4H and I can’t help but feel that won’t last for ever.

It’s a shame, but a result of keyboard warriors unfortunately.

 

[chrisd]

I played in my first meet, arranged by the legend that is Smiffy, it was in Kent many years back and I thought I'd give it a go, so I arrived, played, and thoroughly enjoyed it. After that I played in most of the meets that I could make. I live in Kent near the Channel tunnel but played as far away as Lincolnshire and helped arrange the games in the links meets at Royal St George's, Royal Cinque ports and Princes.

I always enjoyed the meets and met some fabulous people along the way, unfortunately a lot who no longer post on here for various reasons. Sadly, not any of the new generation of forum members have taken up the task of putting out a possible meet, maybe because golf is quite expensive now compared to pre covid costs, and there is certainly a fair bit of work in organising one. H4H is always a brilliant meet and Richard and his helpers are always an example of how to run one.

If someone puts one out there I would hope it'd be well supported

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

...on the same theme but not golf...my wife has kept in touch with five friends she did her nurse training with - over the years they all found partners/wives and the guys have got to know each other well. All live in London other than one couple who live in the states so not always able to join us.

As a group of 10 or 12 we arrange to meet up a couple of times a year - and every other year we do a European city break together. It can be difficult sorting out when and where...and how much accommodation should cost (we all stay in the same accommodation) - then when we get there where to eat; where/what to visit; what to do etc etc. Even though we all know each other well - our financial pressures are now similar - but some perhaps better able than others.

A further couple joined us in Marrakesh to make us 12 back in Feb, and the girls discussed whether or not to formally include them in their chats and discussions on where to go, what to do. They decided that as much as the couple are long standing friends of two of the couple in the group they decided against it; it was just getting too complicated - even with ten - to sort for 14 would just be too difficult. The couple will still be included in the London meet tups.

And I guess that's where we are with forum meets. That said, I'm thinking I might see if I can organize a mini-meet (one maybe two four balls) at my place sometime this summer. That is if anyone would be interested.

 

[Tashyboy]

Spent a round with one person on here and I wouldn't want to repeat it.

Am sorry

 

[Pin-seeker]

Am sorry

Probably Too many Pit jokes Tashy.
I get em from my old man all the time

 

[WirralC]

I organised one at the now closed Frodsham and played another one at Beau Desert which was attended by Mike and Jezz from the magazine. Crawford used to organise some belters in Scotland. I was doing the forum write up in the magazine at the time and they always seemed like really good days.

Having returned to golf and the forum over the last year I think the whole dynamic of the forum has changed, feel like a moaning old git saying things were better in my day but the forum was definitely better a few years ago, but I suppose it depends on what you want from a forum. It used to feel a bit like being part of a big golf society whereas now its more like any other forum, a bunch of strangers arguing with each other.

 

[Tashyboy]

I think that if anyone goes on a forum, society, fuddle meet. They should have to organise one first. Then they might get an idea of the time involved. They can be an absolute bloody nightmare. 99% of the people that go on meets. Pay on time, turn up on time, play golf on time and are an absolute pleasure to be with.
It’s the 1%, late paying, in and out, a complete and utter ROYAL PITA. But they just don’t see it that way
I arrange a pit golf day every year, the problems I have had.

One day I called a guy called “ Rocktop”.”Rocktop where are you”.” Am at Ford buying a car”. “ Eh you are supposed to be teeing off in a fourball in 20 minutes”. “ why didn’t you ring me yesterday” . “ coz there’s 72 lads golfing and am not ringing 72 bloody people the day before”.
One guy came up to me 10 minutes before he was due to tee off. He said “ Andy you have me down twice”, I looked at the sheet and said “ Satch you are only down once”. He said “ I have two nicknames and I am also down as “ Chop Allen”. “When did you see that”, I asked. “ Two months ago when you did the draw”.
Some folk moan about the format on the day.
Don’t get me wrong I have been to the north east and had a fantastic time, also the Forest pines was a cracking meet. Ave met some fantastic forummers. But having grandkids is a nightmare for me to commit to a meet.

 

[Marshy77]

I think that if anyone goes on a forum, society, fuddle meet. They should have to organise one first. Then they might get an idea of the time involved. They can be an absolute bloody nightmare. 99% of the people that go on meets. Pay on time, turn up on time, play golf on time and are an absolute pleasure to be with.
It’s the 1%, late paying, in and out, a complete and utter ROYAL PITA. But they just don’t see it that way
I arrange a pit golf day every year, the problems I have had.

One day I called a guy called “ Rocktop”.”Rocktop where are you”.” Am at Ford buying a car”. “ Eh you are supposed to be teeing off in a fourball in 20 minutes”. “ why didn’t you ring me yesterday” . “ coz there’s 72 lads golfing and am not ringing 72 bloody people the day before”.
One guy came up to me 10 minutes before he was due to tee off. He said “ Andy you have me down twice”, I looked at the sheet and said “ Satch you are only down once”. He said “ I have two nicknames and I am also down as “ Chop Allen”. “When did you see that”, I asked. “ Two months ago when you did the draw”.
Some folk moan about the format on the day.
Don’t get me wrong I have been to the north east and had a fantastic time, also the Forest pines was a cracking meet. Ave met some fantastic forummers. But having grandkids is a nightmare for me to commit to a meet.

Yes, know this so well. A forum meet I'd imagine is like trying to sort the lads annual golf trip. Sort the date, the accommodation, the tee times, the breakfast venue and constantly update on all the above. You will always have issues after the deposit has been paid, just before the balance is due and in the run up to the date. I love doing it but it's a job to make sure it all runs smoothly. Fair play to anyone trying to arrange a meet with people you don't know from across the country.